Subsidizing event costs in Denver’s venues to offset rising prices and harness the power of music to strengthen economic vibrancy, build a more equitable and connected city, and create positive social change.

SLFRF-Funded Program Overview

In 2022, Denver Arts & Venues (DAV) utilized $1.2M of American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding to provide financial support by paying for hard costs through the DAV ARPA Venue Reactivation Program. In 2023-2024, DAV will utilize an additional $800,000 of ARPA funding for the Cultural Partner Activation Program to subsidize the costs of producing events between June 1, 2023 and Dec. 31, 2024 at venues operated by DAV. To ensure that Denver’s arts scene remains sustainable amid rising costs, ARPA funding will be applied directly against costs typically billed back to the event or program organizer such as security, ushers, janitorial services, stagehands, on-site ticketing staff, etc. Additionally, DAV will reduce some rents charged to event producers for these events and programs. See Activation Program

The Denver Music Advancement Fund supports community initiatives that harness the power of music to strengthen economic vibrancy, build a more equitable and connected city, and create positive social change. DAV used American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to supplement its annual funding during the pandemic. See DMAF

Advocacy

Building upon existing programs of the DAV, the allocation of SLFRF funds supported baseline recovery of the sector and DAV operations of one of the largest performing arts centers in the country. DAV submitted a request to the city and county of Denver to secure the funds in support of the sector.

Process

Across all programs, while federal funding application and reporting requirements are complex DAV continued its practice of minimizing application burden, distributing money quickly, supporting organizations of all sizes, and ensuring that funding supported neighborhood equity and stability. In addition, a portion of funds was set aside for exclusive use by small organizations with pre-pandemic budgets of $1M or less. At a time when expenses for things like security, logistics and labor have essentially doubled, the flexible application of these funds supported equitable and efficient distribution of benefits to the Denver community.

Equity

DAV implemented its practice of review panels in all grant programs with a majority of individuals representative of historically marginalized groups including people of color, people with disabilities and people that identify as LGBTQIA2S+. Panelists are instructed on bias as part of the panel process and decision making, and demographic data is captured about applicants and grantees. The Venue Reactivation Program and Cultural Partner Activation Program funding was structured such that funds were used internally to provide reduced operational costs for applicants in agency-owned spaces.

Moving Forward

In an area that primarily relies on government support over philanthropic dollars, the Denver arts and culture sector benefited greatly from SLFRF funding. By innovating new ways of cost-sharing and facility use, DAV aims to focus on collective efforts that support the sector and minimize the burden on arts and culture organizations in Denver, particularly those that produce and present live performances. This model of government support may be especially helpful to small organizations and artists in Denver, which have not yet fully recovered from the impacts experienced throughout the pandemic.

Denver Arts & Venues (DAV) is the City and County of Denver agency responsible for operating some of the region’s most renowned facilities, including Red Rocks Amphitheatre, Denver Performing Arts Complex, Colorado Convention Center, Denver Coliseum, Theatre at Loretto Heights and McNichols Civic Center Building. DAV also oversees the Denver Public Art Program, funding programs like Urban Arts Fund, P.S. You Are Here and Denver Music Advancement Fund, and cultural events such as the Five Points Jazz Festival. Funds generated by the agency are put back into the community through grants for artists and arts organizations, free and low-cost cultural events, art in public spaces, venue operation and maintenance, and arts education. Visit the DAV Website